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Figured we could use a thread for our players competing in the Olympics, as well as any other events people are interested in.

Lithuania and Spain will play every other day starting tomorrow, with Lithuania facing Brazil at 12:15 CST and Spain facing Croatia at 5:00 CST. Those should be on NBC Sports for those watching in the US. Team USA tips off at 5 today against China. Vegas had them as 50 point favorites last I saw and that may not be enough after seeing how scared the Chinese team was in the exhibition game..

China just looks terrible. They gotta be the worst team to qualify for the tournament.

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It's certainly between them and Venezuela, but China at least has some depth at the big man positions. USA's next game is against Venezuela and that'll be even more of a bloodbath with the way Boogie, Jordan, Melo and KD will destroy them on the glass.

Disappointing Abrines didn't get any burn today, hoping their loss to Croatia spurns the Spain coach to mix things up and give him a chance going forward. Figure there's a lot of politics that goes into who gets to play given how old most of that team is.

Thankfully Lithuania's coach doesn't have that issue! Sabonis had some first Olympic game jitters, but with those out of the way after making that clutch bucket he should continue to improve as they go on. Was really impressed with Lithuania the first half but they reminded me of a certain NBA team with how difficult they made things for themselves in the second half..

I'm thinking Abrines won't play much, I get a vibe he's the young guy there for experience. Thrilled w/ Sabonis though he really seems like he can play in the rotation this year, which is great news.

bondom34 wrote:I'm thinking Abrines won't play much, I get a vibe he's the young guy there for experience. Thrilled w/ Sabonis though he really seems like he can play in the rotation this year, which is great news.

Sabonis played so tough. I said in the Sabonis dedicated thread he was a cross between Enes and Nick but the more I think of it he reminded me a bit of David West. Just really physical but still skilled.

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We've got an Olympic stache bro! The team should fly him over at some point next season.

Abrines finally got some minutes! Although that may be generous since it was just shy of two actual minutes of game time. Spain is 0-2 and really struggling to shoot, might not be a bad idea for them to play one of their best shooters more!

Spain is just running Pau into the ground this summer it seems.

Sabonis doesn't get a lot of touches. When given the chance to operate he's been pretty good though. Had a couple nice moments today against Nigeria.

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Yep, liked what I saw from him too, I really think he's gonna be a good fit.

bondom34 wrote:Yep, liked what I saw from him too, I really think he's gonna be a good fit.

I think his floor may well be Nick Collison, which, would be really solid (if true). He doesn't look like he'll ever protect the rim much but I'm impressed by his hands on defense. He appears to have a knack for getting deflections and steals. Always a good sign for a being able to keep a big man on the floor and have him not be a complete negative defensively. Also moves his feet pretty well on the perimeter which is big (although Barabosa did blow by him like he was standing still in that Brazil game, but he'd do that to most NBA bigs).

Officially rooting for the Boomers in basketball. I'm half Aussie, so it's an easy call—I get to root for Bogut, who I love, and against KD and Dray and Klay.

I'm not openly doing it, but I'm kinda being anti patriotic right now.

I'm just rooting for Lithuania. openly.

Of course I don't have cable so I don't get to watch anyway lol

With Golden State snobsters and the-one-shall-not-be-named, the 2016 team USA is like the Suicide Squad. Bad guys purposefully brought together.

Olympic basketball competition had become a bit of a farce anyway. For instance the women's team hasn't lost a game since 1992.

bondom34 wrote:Spain is just running Pau into the ground this summer it seems.

Which I am absolutely loving

Just dropped to say that I've really liked what I've seen from Sabonis so far. Kid's gonna be a player.

Nolan wrote:

bondom34 wrote:Spain is just running Pau into the ground this summer it seems.

Which I am absolutely loving

Just dropped to say that I've really liked what I've seen from Sabonis so far. Kid's gonna be a player.

Thanks, I'm really high on him after this. Spain's coach is just really confusing to me, they've been a real disappointment as a team though Pau has largely played well. Rubio can't get minutes, Pau's playing 3/4 the game it seems.

bondom34 wrote:

Nolan wrote:

bondom34 wrote:Spain is just running Pau into the ground this summer it seems.

Which I am absolutely loving

Just dropped to say that I've really liked what I've seen from Sabonis so far. Kid's gonna be a player.

Thanks, I'm really high on him after this. Spain's coach is just really confusing to me, they've been a real disappointment as a team though Pau has largely played well. Rubio can't get minutes, Pau's playing 3/4 the game it seems.

I have no clue what Spain's doing either. Seems that they're game plan is feed Pau and do nothing else. Disappointed that Abrines hasn't really played either, would of liked to get a little glimpse of what he can do.